Mon, 23 Feb 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
A Birmingham-based manufacturer of handmade insignia has been acquired out of administration, WH Darby Limited specialises in manufacturing products including handcrafted regalia, civic insignia and automotive badges.
Based on Well Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the company dates back to the 1880s. Originally established as AH Darby, a company of die-sinkers, medallists and badge-makers, the firm was renamed WH Darby & Son in 1951 when it was taken over by William Harold Darby, son of founder Alfred Horatio Darby.
Despite its many years of trading in the city, the company fell into administration earlier this year after facing mounting headwinds during 2025 and despite efforts to secure a solvent solution.
The company had faced rising supply costs, an issue that was exacerbated by forecast orders not materialising last year, despite a strong pipeline. A drop in the company’s turnover significantly impacted its cashflow and led to directors taking out unsecured funds in order to support continued trading.
Moorfields were engaged to explore possible solvent solutions for the business, but it was ultimately decided that a sale out of administration would be the best option. Andrew Pear and Milan Vuceljic of Moorfields were appointed as joint administrators on February 12 2026.
In a statement, the joint administrators said: "We explored a number of options in an effort to avoid insolvency. However, with the company unable to source additional funding in its current form, this sale enabled the best result for all stakeholders and ensured all continuity of employment for the workforce and a continuation of customers orders which were in progress."
Following their appointment, the joint administrators managed to complete a sale of WH Darby and its assets, resulting in the transfer of all of the company's 40 staff to the buyer.
In accounts for the year to December 31 2024, W H Darby Limited’s fixed assets were valued at £452,000 and current assets at around £814,000, with net assets amounting to £319,000.
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